Author Archives: Arlene Neal

“The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.” –Ann Voskamp The Advent season is here.  Even though I was not raised in this tradition in my rural Baptist church, I have come to appreciate much about it, … Continue reading →

At some point in your life you have probably been concerned for your heart, maybe a little flutter, a skipped beat, or random pain in the vicinity of your chest, or worse.  You’ve valued your lungs when experiencing shortness of … Continue reading →

Our refrigerator door is covered with NCAA tournament brackets as the Men’s National Championship is in session.  I’m glad to have at least a passing interest in basketball since other family members are serious fans.  My husband takes over the … Continue reading →

A common observation of community college instructors lately is that many first-year students do not choose to do the assigned work.  In spite of warnings about GPA, financial aid problems, and wasted time, increasing numbers of students seem unable or … Continue reading →

As the crow flies, Bethlehem Baptist Church over in Bethlehem is a short distance from our home. When we heard an explosive-sounding thunder and lightning boom in a storm sweeping through Saturday afternoon, we never imagined the damage that would … Continue reading →

A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again. That quote from Alexander Pope’s “An Essay on Criticism” is said to be … Continue reading →

Several families I know have faced the task of dealing with their family homeplaces. It may be that my generation is the last to feel this pain of letting go the place where an entire childhood was spent since families … Continue reading →